Do you have to shadow one dentist for at least 30 hours or more? Or can you shadow more than one adding up to this amount of hours? I am shadowing 2 right now and it seem like they don't want me to come in on a regular basis. I tried to search for this but couldn't find it and so I decided to ask. Thanks
Shadowing ?
- Thread starter nanali
- Start date
5
54807
I say, do whatever it takes to establish a decent relationship with the doctor and staff. That way they'll open up to you and tell you the real dirt of the office.
I HATED the first few times I shadowed...I felt always in the way. But then I got to know all the assistants and doctors and now I work there so it's lots of fun.
Also, be smart. Don't bug the doctor or assistant while they are working focused. Ask afterwards.
So...to answer your question...I guess shadow a couple if you can....probably a few visits for each one.
Hope this helps.
Also....do a search on the subject. It's been talked about before and that's why no one will answer you.
- Joined
- Sep 11, 2006
- Messages
- 2,739
- Reaction score
- 2
Go to a hospital. For me, it was easier to shadow at the dental clinic in a hospital than it was to shadow a private practice.
5
54807
I agree with that. You can tag along with some residents also. They're fresh out, doing a GPR or AEGD so they can give you some good advice.
Plus you'll see everything a GP is supposed to do. Some GP choose to restrict their practice for multitude of reasons.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2006
- Messages
- 47
- Reaction score
- 0
I personally think that you should shadow/work in a dental office as much as possible and as many as possible. No dental school admissions commity is going to look down on you if you get over 30 hours of experience; this is usually their minimum in number of hours observed in a dental office. I have upwards of 800 hours in the dental office and have shadowed/worked for over 6 dentist including GP's, Specialists, and Research Coordinators.
I agree with SaxyDuck a little. you should be very professional when shadowing as well as respectful. try to not only observe the procedures the dr. is performing, but also take note of subtile things that are not often thought of as being important (i.e. the way the office is set up, patient satisfaction, doctor's involvement in the community, stress levels in the office, staff satisfaction, etc.) these things will help you gain a better understanding of the field of dentistry as a whole. Be sure to incorporate all of the things you have experienced, not just the procedures, while shadowing into your interview selling points. Because essentially what you are doing in an interview is selling yourself to the dental school.
hope this was helpful. if you have anyquestions please let me know i would be glad to help.
I agree with SaxyDuck a little. you should be very professional when shadowing as well as respectful. try to not only observe the procedures the dr. is performing, but also take note of subtile things that are not often thought of as being important (i.e. the way the office is set up, patient satisfaction, doctor's involvement in the community, stress levels in the office, staff satisfaction, etc.) these things will help you gain a better understanding of the field of dentistry as a whole. Be sure to incorporate all of the things you have experienced, not just the procedures, while shadowing into your interview selling points. Because essentially what you are doing in an interview is selling yourself to the dental school.
hope this was helpful. if you have anyquestions please let me know i would be glad to help.
I asked a friend who was going to their dentist to mention me, and the dentist offerred for me to meet him for lunch to talk about the profession. He used this as a stepping stone to ask me to come into his office to observe, and then even offerred to write me a recommendation after 2 days of shadowing.
Also, if you have a big enough family or enough friends, you'll can probably find someone who knows or is related to a dentist who will have you come in.
Also, if you have a big enough family or enough friends, you'll can probably find someone who knows or is related to a dentist who will have you come in.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2006
- Messages
- 1,080
- Reaction score
- 8
I would say that you need to shadow more than one dentist, any more than five offices is probably too much and more than 200 hours of shadowing is excessive. Of course, the point is to get some exposure to how the profession works or doesn't work. Shadowing only one dentist would not give you anything to compare it against. Any more than 200 hours and the question comes up of what you do in your free time. Ideally, shadowing a specialist or two would be good too. If you can get a good letter of recommendation from a dentist you've spent significant time shadowing then you're doing great.
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2006
- Messages
- 1,723
- Reaction score
- 2
Some schools have specific requirements. Ohio state recommends that you shadow at least 40 hours and they say it is best to shadow at least a GP and a specialist.
UNLV also looks down on people who don't shadow both.
I would shadow at least 80 hours and multiple professionals if I were to do it agian. It is an easy way to look good as an applicant!
Whatever it takes to get in!
UNLV also looks down on people who don't shadow both.
I would shadow at least 80 hours and multiple professionals if I were to do it agian. It is an easy way to look good as an applicant!
Whatever it takes to get in!
